I've got it's baby brother the VC15 from 2005 and its fantastic. Great for small pub gigs also sending a line out to the PA, over here in Lancashire England. Always use the lo gain input. Best tone I ever had was with the clean channel maxed out with a Les Paul copy and a BSM rangemaster clone. Great demo!

I love this amp because it sounds like something between a Vox AC-30 and a Bluesbreaker

Sounds absolutely killer Jack!

My neighbor has one sitting in his broom and it IS Very Nice as he DID replace the stock Speakers ! Priceless . . . .Thanks Jack !

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Yeah I'll definitely replace the speakers in this, just not sure with what quite yet.

I have the vc15, it's one of best amps ive come across. Im glad I never sold it over the years because if I did Id be chasing that sound and versatility forever.

Couldn't agree with you more, those VC30's kicked sweetly. I played a couple of these laney combos in the shops and loved them more than the 30watt marshall combos of the same period. The only thing that let them diwn to me, was that a few I heard were a bit loose and rattley, others reported this also- so maybe one shipment was poorly assembled or something, unfortunately spoiling the future of a great amp choice. I agree with you having owned a Vox STR (AC30 top) with trem and 'verb, and an unusually sweet sounding Fender twin silverface(that was the choice of three offered to hire for BB king to use in concert in Aucklsnd NZ) which after he used I plugged into and loved straight away not realising he'd also selected.I'm not even usually a Fender guy ( more of a Marshall plexi background) but this was a really nice twin, and I havd to say that the laney was a quater of the weight of the the twin with the same tone, but also self contained and having the Vox amp feel- same ghing as uou said but the sort of other way round. If I saw one these days I'd grab it and take it to s friend who knows how to brace the boards and improve the input mounting etc.(oh by the way sorry for the terribble typing fat fingers-small phone- I cast to a big screen and goof sound system but keyboard operations like comments are tricky)

I like the parts played on that beautiful Les Paul.

Nice one jack. I went and bought one on seeing your video. A vc30 2x10 with hh Invader speakers. Arrived today £199 from a music store here in the UK. Read some rough reviews but I really like it. I send it through and additional 2x12 speaker cab so it's using its existing 2x 10s plus my 2 x12 green backs which you are able to do using the 4 ohm switch. Cleans are beautiful. Full drive means drive volume at 1 is so loud. I've ordered a boss bd2 to help with lower volume gain. But great recommendation. Love the channel.

@mattgilbert7347

2 жыл бұрын

I have the 2x10 as well. Mine came with Jensens as stock speakers. Really great amp! If you can, try a Boss OD-3 as well as the trusty BD-2. I found the OD-3 to be a good match for the amp. I bet yours sounds epic with that greenback loaded cab!

Great video/playing/tones Jack. Love Laney Amps. I own a L5 Lionheart head & 1x12 cab and its just great. Imo they have a sound of their own, but if I had to give someone an idea of the sound, I'd say it shares some characteristics with a Vox and a Blackface type amp. Onn downside to the L5, the reverb is not great, but I have a nice Walrus Audio Fathom to cure that.

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Oh cool! I've actually never played a Lionheart but always kind of had my eye on them - they used to make a 410 that I really wanted.

I have a '98 Laney Ozone Chrome 2x10 30w tube combo, bought used. I just had it serviced at a Laney service center in my area. It has a unique personality and the clean channel is spectacular as a base for pedals. I also recently discovered Laney, I'd say it's an interesting world to explore.

Great reviews. I picked up a vc30 recently and I like it. I would like to change the speaker out. I was wondering, do you have any suggestions on speakers. Thanks James Zi

I've had this same amp with 70/80 speakers for 16 years. Swapped one speaker for Cannabis rex and had my amp tech slightly mod the input capacitors for a more open/Fender like sound. I also took out the amp section and made it into a separate head enclosure. This is a surprisingly loud amp and tubes rattled like crazy when playing concerts, now there is zero tube rattle and they last a LOT longer. This was probably my 10th amp and I'm not selling it. Never had a problem, played long concerts with it, dragged it around so it has some fair mileage. I think it sounds great, the clean is amazing almost Fender like with slightly boosted mids and plenty of clean headroom. Drive channel goes from very saturated edge of breakup tone (think Pink Floyd Shine on tone) to very aggressive growl like AC/DC. It takes pedals very well and the effects loop is amazing in my book as it has it 's own control knob to adjust overall level. Tube amps run well here in Europe where they seem to be more reliable because of quite stable 230-240V voltage (depends on country). Just like any amp with high plate voltage it could have problems with low mains voltage/current fluctuations in the US where the transformer struggles to produce the 320V this amp's HT is supposed to run on. BTW the transformer on the amp is massive. Only problem was the reverb tank died after about 10 years, new one cost me 30 eur and took 20 minutes to replace. Output tubes don't last very long as they run at 100% all the time, but this way you get great tone even at low volumes. My amp probably has around 4000 working hours and already on 4th set of output tubes so they generally last 1000-1500 hours, then they're toast. They never failed, just started to drop in volume and sound got worse so it's immediately clear when I need to change them. It sounds great with JJ tubes or TAD's. Originally had TAD's, then Svetlana (terrible), then JJ and now TAD again. If you get one that was made in UK and it works...you can get a great amp for little money. BTW I also own a Laney LC15R (I play it a lot more than VC30), pretty much same issues as the larger brother (reverb failed, output tubes, tube rattle was fixed by some improvising on the tube retainers). In LC15R I now have a pair of NOS Reflektor 6p14p from the 80's. After 2000 hours still going strong, all the other tubes failed well before 1000 hour mark. Yet to find a matched quad for the VC30.

My 2006 VC15 kick SO MUCH ass, from Deep Purple to Rush and anything else. It is killer!

very nice demo, most of all very nice playing man ! Looking to buy me a vxc30 for some nice vibes. at home and for rehearsing I think. For about 300£. It has two 10" Jensen speakers ! Are those jensen a good match perhaps ? I´m looking for a more warm bluesy or vintage sounding ! Havent tried it yet, as I have some travelling to do..

Just stumbled across this amp- checks all the boxes for me, and just a heads up that’s easily my favorite drive sound ive heard on ur channel! I might pick one up… did u ever get any of the rattling issues? Reminds me of my egnater- sounds amazing but definitely has some kind of rattle going on

❤ Thanks for this video. I own the VC30 2x10 version (and also a Fender Princton blackface reissue) Always thought my friends were crazy when they scoffed at the Laney. I bought it for the same reasons you mentioned has some Vox characteristics but also the modern stuff like FX loop. Definitely have received some elitist attitudes against the Laney but they'll be paying double what I got mine for when they change their mind.

Nice video. I've owned the second iteration VC30 for +/- 14 years. I have the undesirable 70/80 speakers. I've tried it with extension cabs loaded with greenbacks and vintage 30s. It sounded different, but I wouldn't say it sounded better. Maybe I've just learned to dial in a sound on the 70/80s. I do want to try Alnico Blues, though. Reliability wise, i've had 0 issues apart from the leather handle that just didn't hold up. This amp was at one point shared between 3 bands in a rehearsal space, so it has been played a lot. It has been gigged. I've had it stored in unheated storage. During winter when it is -20*C outside and I haven't changed the tubes even once. I've had very polarizing experiences with it in recording studios. One engineer, tried to persuade me, that this is not a good amp to record with, because it is crappy and it compresses too much. (an opinion made before turning the amp on and just looking at the Laney logo). On the other hand I've had engineers be amazed by the tones that come out of it and then ask me what is this weird gem... is it a custom made amp? is it a vox clone? I've done only one mod to the amp. I took the logo off. That improved the tone so significantly that I get compliments about the amp almost everywhere I play and from everyone who I lend it to. One tip: instead of going for the drive channel as the dirty tone, try cranking the clean channel to max. And for the clean/edge of breakup tone use the drive channel with low gain. The cranked clean channel has an amazing mildy distorted sound which is fatter than the drive channel. Most of the times i just use it as single channel amp, with clean vol set to max and then play with the volume knob on the guitar.

Nice.

I'm a huge fan of this amp. Huge. Good call, Jack. The 2x10 with Jensen speakers is excellent. UK made. I have a 1x12 VC30 clone. It's MIC and that's all I'll say about that. It's probably going to be sold. There's a 210 UK VC30 for sale in a neighbouring State. If I can grab it I will. You're right about the response of modern Vox reissues, but I still like the older AC15 reissues. Sounded killer with the Rangemaster!

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Ya know modern Vox amps are still good amps and a thing of their own, that company just frustrates me. I feel like Vox has been completely relegated to Korg's side project and doesn't get the dedication it deserves.

@mattgilbert7347

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett It is odd, how they are positioned in the market.

Hi Jack! Great video as always! I have almost the same amp but with 2x12. I dont really like 70/80 speakers. On cleans they are really good but with drives they sound a little too much harsh/trebly. What speakers i can put for this amp? Greenbacks/creambacks? I really wants to upgrade this great amp. Maybe you have other ideas ? Thank you for great video's on your channel. Cheers!

@chidorirasenganz

2 жыл бұрын

I 100% agree with you on 70/80 speakers lol I would say either greenbacks or creambacks are a great choice. greenbacks are a little brighter and midrangey. They also are more compressed and blur the notes together. creambacks are darker and less compressed. They are in between the standard reissue and the heritage greenback.

@bobbystereo936

Жыл бұрын

I've seen some of these amps with Jensens in them.

HI Jack, I just picked one up at a local GC with a 2 by 10 cabinet for a really good price. Speaker wise mine came with HH Acoustics ....never heard of them. What are your thoughts, if any?

It is precisely what I like in this ampl th indefinition in the line between vintage and modernity. For you it is a failure, for me it is a virtue. But the most important aspect is tha VOX AC30 is one of the best devices to back any singer voice. Its creaminess, its rounded and solid sound gives this amp a personality that I´ve rarely found in others as friendly support of the voice when singing.

My first real tube amp! Got rid of it before I knew what good tone was!! I regret it once a month lol started my love of vox tone

You mentioned replacing the SEVENTY/80 speaker. Which speaker did choose for the replacement? Thanks

Hi Jack, I really enjoy your channel (big VOX fan here). I've found some second hand Laney VC15 and VC30s. I am really considering one, since the price is umbeatable (250-300e). My concern is volume, could the VC30 be too loud? I will use it my rehearsal room, so I won't really bother anywone, but it might still be too loud. I am not going to use it live (yet, who knows). Any advice? Thanks a lot!

Is it attenuation friendly? What kind of "12 speakers would you stick into it?

Hi Jack, great video. What speaker will you put in the VC30?

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

I’m not entirely sure yet - my favorite speaker company is probably Weber, but I also really like the new Tone Speak British style speakers and I think they’d be a great match.

@tjrd12

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett Many thanks for the prompt reply! I look forward to hearing it when you upgrade

There's a used UK one here for around 340$. I'm thinking of snagging one? What are your thoughts? I was looking at an AC30, a modern one, but at their 1200$+ price, eeeeh... This seems like a steal. I agree with you about Vox, their hand wired amps are in some ways worse than the PCB ones (they use the same cheap 1$ potentiometers and have some bad wiring, whilst being more expensive). On the flip side, the PCB ones don't offer any modern features and they still choose to omit an FX loop on any model but the AC30 (which is why I was going for one).

Hey Jack, hi from Argentina!! So if you have to Choose between vox ac15c1 and laney vc30? I’m having the opportunity to buy one. I want a stereo wet dry setup and I already have a fender blues deluxe

I have a Laney Lionheart, and it was a great amp. My AC30 substitute is the 65 Amps Marquee. It has a AC15 type channel and a Selmer type channel.

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Oh cool! I’d love to get a Lionheart. There are certainly great other Vox style amps out there but a lot are pricey. I also want to try a Top Hat

@smiley.exe.5928

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett I've been looking at the Laney Lionheart amps and would love to see you do a review of one!

@bobbystereo936

Жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett Say Jack! What Vox amp is that behind you at 16:15? That the Cambridge?

@JackFossett

Жыл бұрын

@@bobbystereo936 AC15

@bobbystereo936

Жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving papa! You da man!

Really wanted one before when I liked the Vox sound. The modern Chinese Vox i had was horrendous. I had to call their service department and ask is it normal for the pcb to flex this much when changing preamp tubes. After tube rattle killed another preamp tube, I got a proper Orange amp. There was a Fender in between but the Orange TH30 clean channel did everything i always wanted the Fender to do (blues deville). I eventually settled on an Orange OR50 and funnily enough thought an AC30 would be the perfect compliment to the crunch rhythm tones i got from the Orange. That's when i looked in Laney's direction and found the VC30. Then they stopped selling it shortly after. All's well though.

I have had the 1x12 version for about 20 years now, bought new. I guess the bad reputation comes from some quality issues that these amps suffered from and some people found it sounding un-inspiring too. They went through some iterations, even the control plate had changed at some point adding a tone and a presence pot I guess. My amp is probably from the problematic era, It had noisy pots right off the shelf, then the never used bright switch turned out to be dead as I flicked it probably the second time after years of ownership. The other thing was the placement of the tubes, they are pretty close to the speaker magnets and it raised some concerns about tube health. I'm not sure about the tube placement concern though, I never had an issue. Actually, I have never had any problems with this amp beyond the bright switch and the cracky pots, they deteriorated relative quickly though. Anyways I used it live for mostly indie rock and some harder alternative punk-something craziness. It takes pedals well, I always use it slightly dirty and put all the pedals in the front. It takes pedals well too, like a ShredMaster, that I used for a long time or other dirt pedals, even crazy ones and it cleans up nicely with the use of the volume pot on the guitar, the reverb is nice. The speaker is… yes, not the best but it is probably okay if you are on the budget, it is not a pain in the bum at all. I really like this amp, it is well enough loud for club gigs, I guess the 2x12 is even more capable, and I think both of them had an extension cabinet too.

Best AC 30, American made, highly reliable and great for gigging....Henry Amplification....it will last you forever and does everything from Tim Petty to Queen... Im very particular about my tone...opening riff to Daytripper....nailed! With a treble boost...Queen lead tones. Nobody has the enthusiasm and dedication John Paul Henry has when it comes to making the best amps out there. Loved it so much, when he came out with the stellar Dumble clone, the Henry ODS...I bought that one too. Like I said I’m very very picky....but JP always delivers! Check out Henry Amplification in New Jersey! THANKYOU Jack for another great video!

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Preaching to the choir - he’s building me a custom SRT as we speak!

@nealdavis2878

2 жыл бұрын

No question. Ordered the SRT last year with an original silver bell. Just got my AC15 head from him to add to it. It has with both the top boost, EF86, AND both selector switch. Running both the top boost and EF86 is sick. Unbelievable. Henry is at the top of his game

@bobbystereo936

Жыл бұрын

Best ac30 substitute is the Bedrock bc50. Rare but worth the hunt.

I agree with your point on vox’s confusing product strategy. I wish they would take Orange’s approach. High end reissues either replicas or with sightly modernizations and for lower end products well built solid state/nutube/valve reactor amps that are recreations of their flagships. Right now all of their low end products are MDF, don’t allow for speaker changes, attempt to be a number of different amps etc Very unfocused. I think by condensing their product line they could raise the quality a bit.

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

They’ve been saying for years that Nutube is the future of Tone. I don’t think it sounds bad by any means, but I just don’t see it being that dramatic a change. If it were, more companies would be on that train by now.

Well I don't own a VC-30, but I do own a Laney Cub Super-12 and the 3w version of the original Laney Supergroup, I don't know if the Super-12 has the classic AC-30 sound, but I do know it does have the tubes the original AC-30 had from what I've found out, I did swap out the speaker the amp came with for a Celestion Greenback and it does have a more vintage growl.

Theres a 2×10 version in my area thats been up for sale for a while. Im starting to wonder now if your video is a sign. How good is it as a pedal platform for drives and such?

@mattgilbert7347

2 жыл бұрын

I grabbed a 2x10 that was up for grabs in my area, a UK made model with Jensen speakers. It takes drive pedals *really* well. I was going to sell my Keeley Red Dirt germanium, then I tried it through the VC30 - now I am not going to sell that drive pedal!

Are the newer Lionheart amps from Laney Vox-style amps as well?

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

As far as I know they’re more of an American/Marshall blend sound, although the control panel I believe is identical

Are the 400-500 dollar ones on reverb the same as the one here? I heard that some VC30s weren't as good as they were made differently or something after a while If its the same then that is a steal for 400-500

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t know the full “lineage” of this amp but based on reviews, the UK made ones are the ones to find. Also the other speaker configurations may be less money than the big 2x12.

I love this video! Now I am stumbling upon 2 choices, Vox Ac15 Limited Edition Purple for $315 and a Laney VC15 for $225. Which one do you think is a better amp for the money? Thanks!

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Is the Laney UK made? And fully working? If so definitely that, but the AC15 is a great choice too and that’s not a bad price.

@matimoksa

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett It is fully working but the seller just told me that the Laney is Chinese. Everything is stock, including the Jensen 10" speaker

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

@@matimoksa I can’t speak on the Chinese made ones but I’ve heard they aren’t as good. That’s still a great price though particularly for one with Jensen speakers. AC15 may hold its value better.

@JackFossett So it's better AC. But is it better than Peavey Classic 30 that you played in other review? Peavey seems to be more modern sounding on distorion channel. I heard both had typical failures like overheating (but dont believe to Laney that VC is class A). There are also LC Laneys which are compared to HotRod /Supersonic.

I've got a vc30 for 20 years now. Moded the drive channel and added a PPIMV. Very nice amp, though I don't like original speaker and the particle cab construction. My drive channel sounds better than any crancked fender

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I feel like a few mods would go a really long way with this amp. Is yours one of the early UK models?

@mattgilbert7347

2 жыл бұрын

What is PPIMV? Post something something Master Volume?

@thenewmedic

Жыл бұрын

​@@mattgilbert7347 post phase inverter master volume

The Laney Lionheart 20 is the newer version of this.

Nice playing and review. I have a UK made Laney Lionheart LT5-112 combo (2013). It’s a wonderful amp that shares a lot of similarities with the VC30…but a lower wattage amp. It has the dual channels, spring reverb, effects loop, and a Greenback. I’d say it’s voiced somewhere between a Vox and Marshall. I don’t even plan to park with it. It’s part of the family now. 🤣

@misteraon

Жыл бұрын

It was a shame that Laney started to move manufacturing to China back it 2014. I was lucky to find the UK version. However, I did recently learn that they moved production back to the UK. It’s encouraging to see they re-evaluated. Laney makes some seriously underrated amps.

I'm a bit late to the party, but did you change the speaker? I've got 70/80's in my amp and don't really like the tone either.

@JackFossett

26 күн бұрын

I did - I put in a Tone Speak Birmingham and Liverpool and it definitely made a big difference

That's the chinese version? what are your thoughts after 1 year?

No Matchless DC-30, or Dr Z Stangray or Z-Wreck, or even a Hayseed 30? All great takes on a AC-30

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of great high end AC30 style amps out there, Top Hat and Henry Amps also come to mind. But this about a direct comparison to the current production AC30 that Vox is making. Those are all much higher end and more expensive.

Nice informative video and playing Jack. These VC30s were absolutely everywhere in the uk during the 90s, early 00s. Dirt cheap to buy.. Every rehearsal space and music shop had them in abundance. Unfortunately despite the similarities to the ac30, they were very non-distinct amps. Not really like anything else, but not good sounding either. Not great clean, very poor drive channel. Have to disagree with the vox, fender, laney comparison. You can walk into a music bar and immediately tell a vox blindfolded, recorded or live. Fenders are cloned to death, even modellers do it exceptionally well. Laneys struggle with identity, very bland by comparison. The vox tone is very unique. That's why they sell so well.

It's treble, middle and bass... C'mon, just give me the ratios, pal. Great tone as usual.

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

You need my life story first!

Jack, again here is that riff you like! It’s my AC4C1 going through my nephews Line6 amplifier that I modded to be used as is stock, or be used as an extension cabinet. It has two 8 ohm Celestion 70/80 speakers. I think they don’t sound half bad in an open back. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZYKhk9iNZcuqZZc.html

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Very cool! Oddly enough the AC4 series is one I could see benefiting from the Seventy 80 as they tended to be kind of darker/warmer sounding.

@voxpathfinder15r

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett its the stock speaker they put in the newer versions with the 12” speaker. I am trying to figure out all the hate. Some people say the 70/80 doesn’t cut in a mix, others say it’s piercing and thin sounding? I think they are Celestion’s take on a greenback but at higher wattage ratings, but built in China with cheap Chinese paper. They have paper voice coil formers if you can believe it!!! They’re way overrated, no way a 1-3/4” paper voice coil former can take 80 watts!! 35-45 watts MAX!!! They just need to be reconed with a quality American paper cone.

Laney vc30, now you make me regret selling it

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

They’re still around!

@jonnybeck6723

2 жыл бұрын

Ha ha

@christianstephan51

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett i got the lionheart, sounds more like a marshall/bassman, but nothing like the vc30s drive channel growl. Laney is underrated, although they really capture the vintage vibe.

A "Guess What Gear I'm plunking through" series would be awesome... and every GAS infected nerd on the planet would gravitate towards it/them...

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

As long as the video has substance, something “clickbaity” is a-ok with me!

@jonnybeck6723

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett ah ha... you're a purist then (?) 🤔

@jonnybeck6723

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett yusta yankin' yer chain mail... I mean mate 😛

Chocolate chip cookies are best with milk chocolate chips, none of that semi-sweet Mumbo jumbo

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

Woah. Shots fired. HARD disagree there. It’s dark chocolate or no chocolate for me.

@matthewcole6456

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett lol next thing you’ll be falsely claiming drumsticks are better than wings!

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewcole6456 Boneless *drops mic*

@matthewcole6456

2 жыл бұрын

You leave me no choice but to unsubscribe and immediately resubscribe!

I'm starring at the VC30 schematic... Only the power amp is configured as a Vox, but with a diode rectifier. The clean channel is a typical Fender Blackface arrangement, gain stage, tonestack, recovery stage, with the exact same values in the tonestack, as a Deluxe Reverb. The drive channel just adds two more triodes after that. So, the preamp isn't close to a Vox in any way. The effects loop and the reverb are driven by IC's. Even if you don't use them, your direct signal always runs through two opamps in a cheap TL072.

@AaronOwenSmith

7 ай бұрын

Yes i have one and sounds more Fender to me, its the look of it that gets people and El84

I bet it’s the laney, although I heard it wasn’t as good as a Vox

@JackFossett

2 жыл бұрын

That’s what a lot of people seemed to think - I personally find it to be a step up from the production AC30s with better features. I wish Vox made an amp just like this, and then for a vintage reissue have a model like the Heritage Anniversary Hand Wired models that preceded the current handwired line

@voxpathfinder15r

2 жыл бұрын

@@JackFossett amps are a tricky thing, the thing that makes them great is the legacy, but players want something modern for today’s styles, and yet every time a company tries this, like Gibson has. People start complaining immediately. I almost think legacy companies should make more modern products under a different brand name, to totally differentiate legacy products and modern In peoples minds. I agree Vox amps or Marshall or fender for that matter shouldn’t even use printed circuit boards in their legacy products like the ‘65 DRRI. Just all all hand wired tag boards, and use modern construction technology for the modern amps.

The VC30 was great. Mine was a little unreliable though. This video gives us the classic tone of the early 60's. The Laney is nothing like it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZIyZxc2nlNieY9o.html

Nice review and playing. I’m a fan of these amps. They are real sleepers. Shhhhh! Don’t tell, so they stay cheap! I have the 30w 1x12” and I still want a 2x10”! I actually have the earliest release of what became the VC-30, which is a British-made model GC-30V. The GC-30 is a solid state amp, so this sometimes creates confusion, but that extra V = “valve” so this is the GC-30 with valves… (4) EL-84s to be exact, and exactly the same amp that soon after became the VC-30. It’s a nifty amp, a lot of bang for buck in my opinion. I paid $350 for mine, which came stock with a British-made HH speaker; which to my ears was very lackluster. This, and even the Celestion 70-80, might be one reason these got a bad rap and never found their audience / market. But I yanked the HH and got an inexpensive Jensen MOD 12-70, and the amp kinda came alive. Careful with speaker swapping, at least in the 1x12” version, as the tubes are right up against the speaker magnet, and some larger magnet speakers are simply not an option because they’re too deep to fit inside the amp because of the location of the power tubes. It’s extremely well built. Anybody who says different is crazy. Mine is 30 years old and still running the original filter caps, and works / sounds great. The toroidal power transformer is weird (not “traditional”) for guitar amps, which, along with the solid state rectifier, may have also put some people off. But I can get great tones out of it, which is all that matters, right? When I can get away with it, I run into the clean channel (“hi” input) at about 50% volume (4.5-5.5), and it sings with a tele. Loves my drive pedals. Reverb sounds good. Plenty of clean headroom. And relatively small / light, at least in the 1x12” format. I’d take it any day over a Chinese AC-15 (which I’ve owned) or a Blues Jr or Deluxe (there are better Fenders that I like better but they’re a lot more $$$!). A glorious rig is the Laney in stereo with a good Fender, like my Princeton or Prosonic. 🙌🏼